Customers in 45 Co-op stores can unlock value in unwanted tech through reusable Spring Post pouches. The scheme is an extension of the group’s trial with Spring, which launched in October 2021 with in-store self-service Pods.
The new service is available in towns and cities including: Birmingham; Brighton; Bristol; Cardiff; Leeds; London; Manchester and Swansea. Customers simply collect one of Spring’s durable, padded and waterproof Pouches from a participating Co-op store, and send tech they no longer use, such as phones, tablets, e-readers and smartwatches, to Spring to be safely and conveniently repaired, refurbished, reused, or recycled.
The move increases the total number of Co-op stores offering Spring’s service to 75, and is in addition to the self-service Pods which are already located in 30 of the convenience retailer’s stores. It allows consumers in more communities to turn their pre-loved tech into earnings, with devices then refurbished and recirculated back into the market - reducing the volume of unused technology becoming e-waste.
Mark Matthews, director of format & innovation, Co-op Food, said: “Expanding our partnership with Spring enables more communities to unlock the value in forgotten phones and other unwanted tech which are then re-used or recycled avoiding unnecessary e-waste. We are committed to creating added services which provide a compelling customer offer in our communities and, making it quick, easy and convenient for shoppers to make small changes to their everyday lives, can add up to make a big difference for our planet and natural environment.”
James Seear, Spring Co-founder, said: “Our partnership with Co-op and launch of Spring post is an important step in bringing our mission of building a financially and environmentally sustainable tech ecosystem to as many people and communities as possible. The partnership brings the opportunity of earning extra money to more communities, and importantly prevents pre-loved devices from becoming electronic waste - which is a rapidly growing problem in the UK. Spring is working to build a circular economy around consumer choices and, is challenging the way people currently interact with their technology.”
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